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09-12-2017, 11:41 PM
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29-2 Stainless? A rare unicorn???
Today I possibly held a unicorn in my hands. A stainless 29-2.
Not nickel plated.
A FFL friend of mine bought it recently from a guy looking to sell, they both agreed on $750. The revolver had a bad cylinder stop and my friend asked if I could fix it for him. Within an hour I fitted a new cylinder stop and spring.
The revolver was not fired by the previous owner and fired very little if at all since it left the factory.
Here are the details and I will provide pictures if it helps.
Pinned barrel and recessed cylinder.
SN #N146112
Cylinder is marked with the SN under the extractor also with an engraving tool, not stamped.
Stainless steel polished hammer and trigger. Hammer is target, trigger is smooth face combat not the wider target variety.
Red ramp front, white outline rear.
Matte finished top frame and barrel. Matte finish front of frame, trigger guard and front and back of grip frame, rear frame. Also matte finished inside trigger guard. Possibly bead blasted.
The rest of the revolver is the standard stainless steel Smith&Wesson finish like you would see on any early 629. It is not a polished finish-it all looks factory original.
Only explanation I can come up with is that it is a no dash 629 that was accidentally marked as a 29-2?
Is the serial number late enough to be a 629 no dash?
Thanks for any help
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09-12-2017, 11:54 PM
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Hard chromed?
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09-12-2017, 11:59 PM
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Moderator
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The SN is far too early to be a 629 (1973). In addition, the wide sideplate seam and the polished hammer and trigger strongly suggest a reflnish.
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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220
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09-13-2017, 12:03 AM
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I don't think so. Look at the perfect stamps on the frame and barrel. Would they not be more shallow or less sharp if it had been hard chromed?
Also forgot to mention the mainspring also appears to be matte stainless-never seen that before.
Now you got me thinking it could be hard chromed possibly. If so it was done by a very meticulous professional. Anyone familiar with the process enough to tell?
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09-13-2017, 12:09 AM
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Hard chromed and left the matte areas non polished?
The trigger and hammer are more polished than the rest of the revolver. They look like SS parts to the eye.
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09-13-2017, 12:45 AM
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Did some looking and studying. It must be hard chromed.
Very impressive work.
Thanks for the insight.
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09-13-2017, 12:49 AM
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Hard chrome is very thin and most likely would not fill the engraving.
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09-13-2017, 01:15 AM
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That finish looks like many hard chromed revolvers I've seen. I would assume the hammer and trigger are also hard chromed -- not stainless steel.
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09-13-2017, 10:10 AM
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The finish is after market as the first stainless 44 Magnums were not assembled until late 1978. The revolver above dates to 1974. Finishes such as Magna-Life, offered by MagnaPort Arms were popular in the early 70s.
Bill
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09-13-2017, 10:33 AM
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I have brushed chrome model 29-2. It is virtually indistinguishable from a 629. I had it done in 1972 for $60.00. I'll post a photo ASAP.
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09-13-2017, 11:15 AM
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It was definitely after-market polished. The sharpness of roll marks or stamps is by no means an indicator of anything. Assessing refinishes/refreshes takes a lot of things into consideration, and uses all of those for a determination. One should never rely on one factor alone. Although if you do rely on one factor alone, then in this case, the side plate is much more convincing of a refinish than the stamps are of originality.
It may be hard chrome or it may be in the white. In the white is foolish though due to no protection, so you will rarely see an entire gun like that. Doesn't look like nickel and it definitely isn't stainless.
Last edited by iPac; 09-13-2017 at 11:19 AM.
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09-13-2017, 12:03 PM
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Recently purchased a Colt DS advertised as Hard Chrome. Serial number range had it listed as "Blue" but I wasn't convinced because stamp marks looked too perfect to be a refinish. Also, having SN# AE0018...I just couldn't refuse getting it lettered. Well...turns out it left Colt as "Blue". Still a nice revolver but was hoping for a Unicorn. Maybe the attached pictures will help you out. You have a very nice revolver there...Enjoy!
Last edited by SFIDEC; 09-13-2017 at 12:18 PM.
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09-13-2017, 12:17 PM
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I think it is a finish called Nitex. (google)
Used to be outta Dallas IIRC.
Had a model 57 that looked identical.
Nitex is basically Electroless Nickel.
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09-13-2017, 10:29 PM
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It's hard chrome or electroless nickel.
It is beautiful. I would go $750 for it all day long.
Gorgeous Revolver.
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09-14-2017, 01:07 PM
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Grip frame, Check out the pics on the end of my thread about what to do with an ugly M29. It looks like mine. I will try to post some more pics.
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09-14-2017, 01:09 PM
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My fake "629-2"
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09-14-2017, 06:27 PM
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US Veteran Absent Comrade
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eagle223usa
My fake "629-2"
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Is that a 6.5 inch barrel? True M-629's never had that length, just six inches, in that barrel length range.
Guns with six-inch barrels could be mistaken for mismarked M-629's.
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09-14-2017, 06:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas Star
Is that a 6.5 inch barrel? True M-629's never had that length, just six inches, in that barrel length range.
Guns with six-inch barrels could be mistaken for mismarked M-629's.
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6 1/2, 29-2. Direct chrome from APW. It was blued and 8 3/8.
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09-14-2017, 08:26 PM
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The trigger has been recontoured. Smith never made any that were nicely rounded like that.
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10-08-2017, 08:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eagle223usa
My fake "629-2"
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What a totally great looking 29-2!
My very first will arrive tomorrow from Louisiana, in blue, with two barrels, a 6-1/2 and a 4, with the 6-1/2 installed. Guess I will have to find another one to send off to APW.
Thanks for posting these pics!
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10-12-2017, 09:13 PM
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Bob Cogan APW did one for me a few years ago dash 2 6.5 barrel,looks just like it.Very nice piece.
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10-12-2017, 10:37 PM
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I have a model 57 with a Nitex finish and a 657. It is difficult to determine which is actually stainless at first glance.
I used to see the Nitex finished sidearms frequently back in the day, but not so much any more.
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